SOME QUESTION IF JOHNNIE COCHRAN CAN HANDLE SPORTS SCENE

JOHNNIE COCHRAN'S L.A.-based Cochran Smith Sports
Management will seek to represent "baseball players and
boxers," in addition to basketball and football players,
according to Dan Wasserman of the Newark STAR-LEDGER.
Cochran, who registered with the NFLPA and NBPA, will
partner with LAMONT SMITH, who represents 52 NFL players,
including BARRY SANDERS. Some competitors "question
Cochran's credentials as an agent and his staying power in
the business," and other observers "have criticized Cochran
for playing and cashing in on the race card by repeatedly
pointing out that there are disproportionately few black
agents representing black athletes." But "few doubt he will
enjoy uncommon early success." Agent KEITH GLASS: "I wonder
what happens when he realizes that some of these kids he has
to deal with, will make O.J. Simpson look like Mother
Theresa" (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 8/5).